From Nov. 1, 1955, until the fall of Saigon nearly 20 years later, 58,220 American soldiers lost their lives, and another 303,000 were wounded.

U.S. Rep. Joseph Courtney, D-2nd District, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, told the small crowd that Vietnam veterans should be thanked not only for their actions during the war, but also for making sure all soldiers who returned home in subsequent conflicts were appropriately recognized.

Courtney’s remarks came after a three-day trip to Afghanistan last week, where he surveyed surplus military equipment.

“There are 66,000 troops still serving abroad, and one thing is clear when you talk to them: They know when they walk out in public, folks come up and say, ‘Thank you,’ and it’s great to see,” Courtney said. “The reason for that change, I believe, is because Vietnam veterans were not going to have their experience repeated. People wearing the uniform today know their service is being honored.”

Dominick Cartese, of Norwich, who served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1972 loading weapons onto B-52 bombers, shared Courtney’s gratitude.

Organizers invited Samuel Beamon Sr., of Waterbury, to give the keynote address at this year’s service. A helicopter mechanic, crew chief and aerial gunner from 1966 through 1969, Beamon was awarded 16 air medals and inducted into the Connecticut Veterans’ Hall of Fame in 2011.

“No matter what branch of service it is, they have one job and one job only, and that’s to support the troops,” Beamon said.

There was one significant change to the traditional remembrance. After more than 30 years of playing taps at events — including the Vietnam ceremony every year — Norwich resident John Fells retired.

He was replaced by brothers Hector Bustamante, 17, and Hayden, 15.

“It was an honor,” Fells said. “It gave me a chance to say, ‘Thank you for your service.’ ”